More than half of NC public school graduates passed college-level courses while in high school

Historic percentages of North Carolina public school students are enrolling and succeeding in college-level courses while still in high school, according to new data presented to the State Board of Education today.

Data from the Class of 2025 shows that 54% of graduates successfully completed at least one college-level course/exam through Advanced Placement (AP), the Career and College Promise (CCP) program, International Baccalaureate or other college-level courses during high school. This percentage has never been higher for North Carolina's public schools.

The CCP program allows eligible NC public high school students to enroll in college classes at many North Carolina community colleges and four-year colleges and universities through their high school. Thirty-eight percent of all graduates enrolled in at least one college course in 2024-25 through the CCP program, marking an all-time high.

Nearly 87,000 students participated in the CCP program in 2024-25, an increase of 10% from the previous year. Students may participate in one of three pathways, which range from college transfer to career and technical education while they are enrolled in their traditional high school.

These achievements reflect the work being done across North Carolina public schools and at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), in collaboration with its higher education partners, to prepare students for their next phase of life.

"Having 54% of North Carolina public high school graduates pass at least one college-level course/exam is outstanding and exemplifies our commitment to preparing each student for their next phase of life as outlined in our strategic plan, Achieving Educational Excellence," said North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green. "We want to ensure that every student takes and passes a college-level course/exam and a career-connected course in high school so that they will be well-prepared for whatever future they imagine for themselves. By expanding access to college-level courses, North Carolina's public schools are empowering every student to see themselves as college material, even if that is not ultimately where they go immediately after high school."

Another CCP pathway for students to access college credit is a Cooperative Innovative High School (CIHS). Providing a hybrid high school and college experience, North Carolina's 138 CIHSs are located on the campuses of North Carolina Community Colleges, University of North Carolina System and NC Independent Colleges and Universities.

In 2024-25, 6,560 students graduated from a CIHS, and 3,498 of them earned an associate degree in addition to their high school diploma.

For all grade levels, CIHS students earned 7,259 industry-recognized credentials through Career and Technical Education courses in 2024-25.

Both of these metrics are an increase from previous years.

"Through high-quality instructional programming and close partnerships with institutions of higher education, Cooperative Innovative High Schools provide a unique opportunity for students to participate in college-level work while receiving robust support," said Sneha Shah-Coltrane, senior director of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI. "This program is especially powerful for first-generation college students and has the ability to drive economic mobility for families across our state."

More than half of North Carolina public high school graduates are now completing college-level courses while still in high school - the highest percentage in state history and a milestone that places North Carolina at the forefront of expanding advanced learning opportunities nationwide.

These accomplishments are even more remarkable alongside North Carolina public schools' other historic achievements in 2024-25, including a record graduation rate, record AP participation and performance and a record number of industry-recognized credentials earned by Career and Technical Education students.

After Thursday morning's presentation to the State Board of Education, several students participating in both the CIHS and CCP programs shared their stories of the local impact of these programs in a press conference. Watch it here.